Gervonta Davis’s quest to extend his knockout ratio faced an unexpected hurdle on March 1st when he battled Lamont Roach Jr. to a majority draw, an outcome that has undoubtedly reshaped discussions around his future, including potential appearances on Saudi cards.
Gervonta Davis has solidified his reputation as one of boxing’s most explosive punchers, captivating fans with his “Tank” moniker and formidable power. Prior to his recent bout, his professional record stood at an impressive 30-0 with 28 knockouts, making him must-see television for boxing enthusiasts.
Davis recently stepped into the ring to face Lamont Roach Jr., a skilled opponent with a record of 25-1-1 before their clash, whose sole loss had come against Shakur Stevenson’s former opponent, Jamel Herring. The history between Davis and Roach dates back to their amateur days, where they met twice. On both occasions, Davis emerged victorious, though Roach has consistently disagreed with the amateur decisions.
Despite his status as a fan-favorite and a major draw, Davis had notably not made an appearance on any Saudi boxing cards. While many speculated that his financial demands had priced him out of Riyadh Season shows, Davis himself revealed a more nuanced reason for his absence.
Gervonta Davis’s Saudi Stance and the Haney Connection
Davis openly shared his suspicions regarding judging in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the context of a potential super-fight against Devin Haney. Speaking on Lil Yachty’s podcast, Tank expressed his belief that Haney, who has a reported close relationship with Saudi boxing head Turki Alalshikh, would receive preferential treatment.
“Devin was his guy. I’m like ‘If Devin your guy, you gotta pay me now’ […] I gotta get the knockout, if not y’all gone give it to him,” Davis stated, highlighting his concern that a decision would unfairly favor Haney. This apprehension, Davis explained, was the primary reason he set a high price tag for any potential Saudi appearance, unwilling to risk a contentious decision without a substantial financial guarantee.
Interestingly, recent developments indicate that Devin Haney has indeed deepened his ties with Riyadh Season. Reports suggest that Haney has signed a multi-fight agreement worth $36 million with Turki Alalshikh’s group, with plans for him to feature prominently on upcoming Saudi cards. This includes a potential bout against Brian Norman Jr. in November 2025. These agreements lend further context to Davis’s earlier concerns about perceived favoritism and the significant financial incentives involved in fighting under the Riyadh Season banner.
The Lamont Roach Jr. Showdown: A Controversial Draw
The highly anticipated clash between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1, 2025, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, did not unfold as many expected. Instead of another highlight-reel knockout for Davis, the fight concluded in a majority draw, with scorecards reading 115-113 for Davis, and two judges scoring it 114-114. This result meant Davis retained his WBA lightweight title, but his perfect professional record now includes a draw, moving to 30-0-1 (28 KOs).
The bout was a fiercely contested affair, characterized by back-and-forth action. Roach, an orthodox fighter, proved to be a resilient and determined opponent, often out-throwing and slightly out-landing Davis in total punches. A significant point of controversy arose in the ninth round when Davis took a knee after eating a jab, then moved to his corner to have grease wiped from his eye. Despite the unified rules of boxing typically classifying a fighter touching the canvas with anything other than their feet as a knockdown, referee Steve Willis did not rule it as such, a decision that many, including Roach, believed altered the fight’s outcome.
Roach’s performance significantly boosted his stock, showcasing his ability to compete at the elite level. His record now stands at 25-1-3 (10 KOs). Both fighters expressed a desire for a rematch in the immediate aftermath, indicating that their rivalry is far from over. Following the Davis fight, Roach went on to face Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz on December 6, 2025, in San Antonio, which also resulted in a majority draw.
Tank’s Unbeaten Streak: The Men Who Heard the Bell
Before the draw with Roach, Davis was celebrated for his exceptional knockout percentage, which stood at 93%. He had consistently delivered devastating finishes against high-caliber opponents, including Ryan Garcia, Frank Martin, and Hector Luis Garcia in his preceding three fights.
With the recent draw, only two men in Davis’s professional career have managed to hear the final bell and avoid a knockout loss. One of these fighters is Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz. Their WBA Lightweight World Championship bout on December 5, 2021, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, saw Davis secure a unanimous decision victory with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112. It was a challenging fight for Davis, who later revealed he had injured his left hand during the contest, forcing him to rely more on his boxing skills and movement against Cruz’s relentless pressure.
The only other fighter to withstand Tank’s power and go the distance was German Ivan Meraz. This occurred early in Davis’s career, back on October 8, 2014. Meraz, a seasoned journeyman with a record of 47-31-1 (25 KOs) at the time, took Davis the full six rounds. Despite being dropped twice by Davis—once in the third round and again in the fifth—Meraz displayed remarkable durability. Davis ultimately won by a unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 60-52. Meraz’s extensive career saw him accumulate a record of 65-72-3 (41 KOs), with only a fraction of his numerous losses coming by way of knockout, underscoring his toughness.
The majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. marks a new chapter in Gervonta Davis’s career. While his undefeated record remains technically intact, the performance and the controversial moments have opened up new questions and possibilities, including a highly anticipated rematch and continued scrutiny over his future fight locations.
